Photo: Kyosho
Whenever there’s a lull here at the ol’ blog, you can bet I’m pouring all my energy into some paid writing gig. One of the great things about being a writer is the opportunity to learn all sorts of interesting stuff about a variety of subjects and then share those discoveries with readers.
Take for instance radio-controlled (RC) cars, one of two story topics I completed this week for Off-Road Industry Magazine. Like me, you’ve probably seen hobbyists buzzing them around beaches, parks and empty parking lots on any given weekend. And like me you’ve probably mused “what interesting toys” and then quickly moved on to whatever it was you were doing without a second thought.
But as I soon learned in researching my article, these aren’t toys at all. They’re serious business for the companies that make them and the enthusiasts who buy them.
Photo: Losi
Every Bit Real
In fact, these little electric and nitro-powered racers are every bit as sophisticated as their fullsize car and truck counterparts. Vehicle models are researched, engineered, prototyped and even dyno-tested just like the real thing. Many can reach speeds well over 40 mph, and their mechanicals can boast everything from liquid-filled shocks to four-link suspensions to reinforced chassis with options of two- and four-wheel drive. Moreover, as with their fullscale cousins, an entire service and parts aftermarket has grown up around them, with major automotive brands throwing big money into replica licensing.
Competition is fierce at all levels of this estimated $1 billion industry — not only among the carmakers (several of which you’ll find here in Southern California) but the hobbyists themselves. There are organized racing teams, national and world-wide sanctioning bodies and purses that full-size motorsports competitors would envy. Currently industry players say the fastest growing RC vehicle segment is off-roading: desert-racers, buggies and, most of all, rock crawlers.
Who knew?
My full report is slated to appear in the upcoming summer issue of ORI Magazine, published by the Ryan Communications Group.
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Nice piece on RC models.
This type of positive content from neutral RC fans is all good for RC stores like ours, thanks.